Has anyone got paving slabs set into gravel?

[houseyhousey]

I'm looking to turn my patio & small grass area into one big entertaining space. I think just paving slabs will be too harsh and like the look of large grey slabs set into white gravel /stones with some low level planting but wondering how practical it is in real life (as opposed to immaculate Insta life ). Do the slabs just get covered in the gravel? Is a slab & gravel surface suitable for a seating area? The rear of my garden catches the afternoon sun so I'd like to create a seating area with fire pit on this newly created surface.

It will need to be prepared properly otherwise wet weather comes and slabs move and crack and weeds grow up through the stones

I have a slabbed path with gravel either side , never had a problem with the gravel getting on the slabs

Good point @Bluebird2021 - definitely not doing it myself so will check what the plan is thank you

I work as a childminder - we converted our garage into a playroom & I was looking out at a massive tarmac drive all day. It was bleak.

We added this area with gravel stabilisation grids & golden gravel & pots. I love it - it was so easy & most of the plants & stones were moved from other areas of the garden. It's pretty low maintenance & I sit in it quite a lot as find it peaceful. We're building a little planter wall from reclaimed brick behind the bench so there's still room for a car or 2 at the back.

Make sure it’s more slab than gravel, slabs can be shaped , so not austere . But gravel is a horror to walk on ! We had your plan at our last house , shoes on every time you stepped out , this time a porcelain patio with slate paths . Much kinder on bare feet !

We did a low key version of this , and put the pavers onto gravel for ‘stepping stones’ but don’t use the pavers for the chairs as I think there would be too much movement

Yes, I have Yorkshire stone and gravel. Stone is denser on a path from door to gateway, and in a warm corner where we have the table and chairs. You do have to check all four chair legs are on slabs, but slab density is high enough for that not to be a problem.

Planting - in the gravel I have clumps of a rockery pink, Dryas octapetala, Sempervivum, harebells. rock rose. Creeping thyme between the paving slabs and sometimes creeping on to the slabs and taking its chances among all the feet. In spring, I have pale purple crocuses and Cyclamen coum, which has spread from 3 plants to hundreds. They flower from Christmas, and when they're joined in February by the Crocus, the colour combination of pink and pale purple is lovely.

I also have at the moment big clumps of scabious, but as soon as I've established that elsewhere in the garden, they're going.

The slabs in the sitting area are set in concrete, so no movement, with deep channels between them infilled with gravel (so not so much can grow there. The rest is 4 inch deep grave with inset slabs. I don't have a weed membrane under it because I'm not sure what sate it would be in in 25 or30 years time. I have to do a good hand weed 3 or 4 times a year - the gravel is a very good nursery bed for seedling lavenders.

There was an episode of 'Your garden made perfect' (BBC iplayer I think) where the lower budget garden had this. It was a small awkwardly shaped garden but looked really good.

Lots of plants to soften the look but a lovely space

We have this around the side of our house. To be honest I find the pea shingle a pain with our toddler. He keeps 'digging' it and depositing it everywhere including in my shoes! It does get on the slabs too but I think that is because it is too deep and level with the top of the slabs.

We have this and I find it quite annoying tbh! Difficult to sit on a chair on the patio without one chair leg tipping into the gravel, and you have to watch where you place your feet. I've tripped several times, especially when carrying a basket of washing or stuff to the recycling box etc. Ours doesn't look very nice either, but that's because the previous owners didn't choose nice slabs! They don't get covered in gravel though.

Gravel space = Cat litter tray.